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Author Biography
Steven R. Barnett is Executive Director at the Irvington Historical Society.
Steve Barnett was raised in Irvington. Steve attended School #57, Howe High School (’63), and received a degree from Purdue University (’70). He served in the Indiana National Guard. After a brief hiatus from Irvington, Steve returned to his home town in 1977 with his wife Sue so their three children could grow up in a family friendly environment.
Steve had the good fortune of working with U. S. Representative Andy Jacobs, Jr. and U. S. Representative Julia Carson in the Indianapolis Congressional District Office helping constituents.
After his retirement, Steve became the executive director of the Irvington Historical Society and curator of the Bona Thompson Memorial Center until 2025. Steve was commissioned a Kentucky Colonel by Gov. Wallace G. Wilkinson for service to veterans, and he was appointed a Sagamore of the Wabash by Gov. Joseph Kernan for service to Indiana. In 2016, Steve was named Marion County Historian.
Steven R. Barnett’s Story Archive
100 Years Ago: April 19-25
From The Indianapolis Star, Sunday, April 20, 1924: The Blue Triangle Hall, the new Y.W.C.A. boarding residence for employed girls, will open its doors this week. Located at 725 N. Pennsylvania St., the hall can accommodate as many as 115 young women, giving them pleasant rooms, wholesome meals, and congenial … Read More
100 Years Ago: April 12-18
From The Indianapolis Star, Wednesday, April 16, 1924: Initial steps were taken yesterday by a group of businessmen to organize a local National Aeronautic Association chapter which seeks to place Indianapolis on all airway maps of the United States. This action followed Rear Admiral William Fullman’s appearance before several audiences … Read More
100 Years Ago: April 5-11
From The Indianapolis Star, Sunday, April 6, 1924: The recent organization of the National Screen Players, Inc is expected to bring Indianapolis into the national field of motion picture production. An experimental two-reel comedy was produced recently at the temporary studios, 19 E. Wilkins St, and its acceptance by an … Read More
The Angel of Norwood
Norwood, a mostly African-American neighborhood on the near southeast side of Indianapolis, bounded on the north by Prospect St., Terrace Ave. on the south, Sherman Dr. on the east and Vandeman St. on the west, takes its name from the Norwood family who farmed the area. For many years the … Read More
100 Years Ago: March 29-April 4
From The Indianapolis Star, Tuesday, April 1, 1924: The Indiana Society for Medical Freedom met last night and passed a resolution calling on city school authorities and the board of health to respect state law exempting from medical examination or treatment any school pupil on objection of parent or guardian. … Read More